Drink Tax Put on Ice

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A proposal by a D.C. councilwoman to tax sports drinks, teas and soda at a penny per ounce has stalled for now.

Mary Cheh said Thursday that the proposal will not be part of the budget after a number of members opposed it during budget talks. Cheh said council members might still consider extending the city's 6 percent sales tax to the drinks when it votes on the budget next week.

Cheh's proposal was expected to raise between $6 million and $9 million and largely be spent on healthy schools initiatives. At one cent per ounce, the tax would have added $1.44 to the cost of a 12-pack of soda, though it would not have applied to diet drinks.